Theatre of Marvels - A thrilling and absorbing tale set in Victorian London

'Richly evocative and glittering with atmosphere, this tale of ambition and identity had me gripped from start to finish' STACEY HALLS _________________________________Crowds gather at Crillick's Variety Theatre, where curiosity is satisfied with displays of intrigue and fear. They're here for the star of the show - the Great Amazonia warrior. They needn't know this warrior is in fact Zillah, a mixed-race actress from the East End fooling them each night with her thrilling performance. But something is amiss, and when Crillick's new act goes missing Zillah feels compelled to investigate, knowing the fates that can befall women in Victorian London. From the bustle of the West India Docks to the coffee houses of Fleet Street to the parlours of Mayfair, Zillah's journey for answers will find her caught between both sides of her own identity, and between two men: her wealthy white admirer, and an African merchant appalled by her act. Will Zillah be forced to confront the price of her own performance? And in risking everything can she also save herself?Featuring a defiant heroine for our times and a theatrical world of fragile dreams and ruthless ambition, THEATRE OF MARVELS shines a light on the experience of being Black and British in Victorian London through one woman's journey to live her life on her own terms. _______________________________'A tale steeped in Victorian London, I fell in love with Zillah and her theatre world. I was gripped from the opening pages - highly recommended for anyone who loves mystery, drama and Victorian London.' LOUISE HARE, author of This Lovely City

About the author

Lianne Dillsworth has MAs in Creative Writing and Victorian Studies and won a place on the London Library Emerging Writers Programme.

She was first runner-up in the 2020 SI Leeds Literary Prize for Black and Asian Women Writers in the UK.

Lianne lives in London where she works on growing inclusion within the Civil Service.

Lianne's debut novel, Theatre of Marvels, was published to high acclaim. House of Shades is her dazzling second novel.

Summary

PERFECT FOR FANS OF THE FAMILIARS BY STACEY HALLS AND ARIADNE BY JENNIFER SAINT

'Theatre of Marvels is a fascinating, empowering story of a young woman's search for identity and justice in Victorian London, a world which Lianne Dillsworth evokes so richly' JENNIFER SAINT, author of Ariadne

'Exploitation and empowerment, race and class are all explored in this gripping historical novel. Dillsworth is a class act' Woman & Home
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Behind the spectacle there are always secrets.

Unruly crowds descend on Crillick's Variety Theatre. A black, British actress, Zillah, is headlining tonight. An orphan from the slums of St Giles, her rise to stardom is her ticket out - to be gawped and gazed at is a price she's willing to pay.

Rising up the echelons of society is everything Zillah has ever dreamed of. But when a new stage act disappears, Zillah is haunted by a feeling that something is amiss. Is the woman in danger?

Her pursuit of the truth takes her into the underbelly of the city - from gas-lit streets to the sumptuous parlours of Mayfair - as she seeks the help of notorious criminals from her past and finds herself torn between two powerful admirers.

Caught in a labyrinth of dangerous truths, will Zillah face ruin - or will she be the maker of her fate?

A deliciously immersive tale, Theatre of Marvels whisks you on an unforgettable journey across Victorian London in this bold exploration of race, class and gothic spectacle.

_______________________________

'Richly evocative and glittering with atmosphere, this tale of ambition and identity had me gripped from start to finish' STACEY HALLS, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars

'I absolutely adored reading Theatre Of Marvels... The story was fun and pacey and the writing rich and accessible. In short, I can't wait to see what Dillsworth writes next.' Bad Form

'A dazzling tale of self-discovery with a cast of vivid characters, I loved it' LAURA PURCELL, author of The Silent Companions

'A tale steeped in Victorian London, I fell in love with Zillah and her theatre world. I was gripped from the opening pages - highly recommended for anyone who loves mystery, drama and Victorian London' LOUISE HARE, author of This Lovely City

'A startling, original and utterly compelling novel which subtly navigates the core issues of race, gender and class' MARY CHAMBERLAIN, author of The Dressmaker of Dachau

'Thrilling, eye-opening and absorbing' LIZZIE POOK, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter

'Fresh, original and full of atmosphere - a compelling story with a heroine I'll remember for a long time' FRANCES QUINN, author of The Smallest Man

'A story that shines a spotlight into the shadows of the 19th century, while also exploring very relevant themes of identity. So fantastic to read a novel that centres POC in the Victorian era. Loved it!' SAARA EL-ARIFI, author of The Final Strife

'Zillah is a brilliant character who leads us through a Victorian London little spoken of, making for an illuminating, page-turning tale of self-actualisation. Loved it' KATE SAWYER, author of The Stranding

'Theatre of Marvels is a compelling, big-hearted story that whips the reader along, and I loved seeing Victorian London through the eyes of its strong female protagonist' ROSIE ANDREWS, author of The Leviathan

Product details

• Authors: Lianne Dillsworth
• Publisher: Bantam UK
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 28.04.2022
• EAN: 9781529151459
• ISBN: 978-1-5291-5145-9
• No. of pages: 432
• Dimensions: 144 mm x 222 mm x 38 mm
• Subjects: Fiction > Suspense; FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Historical, Historical romance, Crime & mystery, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Historical crime and mysteries, Narrative theme: Love and relationships